Overview

• Sunil Gavaskar argued that Sanju Samson should not be left in reserves and suggested he bat at No. 3, adding he expects Samson to start the first couple of games.
• Practice reports from Sep 6 in Dubai showed Jitesh Sharma keeping in the nets while Samson did fielding drills, indicating Jitesh could be the preferred wicketkeeper.
• With Shubman Gill named vice-captain and expected to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, Samson’s top-order role is under pressure.
• Irfan Pathan proposed Samson could be used at No. 5 or might miss the XI, noting that picking Samson in the middle order would likely sideline Jitesh.
• Gavaskar also forecast a bowling-heavy balance with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, which could leave one of Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube waiting for opportunities as India finalize XIs for the Sep 10 opener.